IMFFA 2014 Nominations celebrates the best talent in Marathi cinema
The nominations for the first edition of International Marathi Film Festival Awards taking place on luxurious Star Cruise (Virgo) from 21st to 24thSeptember have been announced
In a historic development, Marathi film industry’s biggest film festival is taking it on a global platform and in a unique avatar. The International Marathi Film Festival Awards (IMFFA) is a thematic film festival and award show that depicts the ethos, the essence and growth of the Marathi film world.
Superstar Govinda unveiled the trophy and declared the list of nominations (Popular category) for the first edition of The International Marathi Film Festival Awards (IMFFA). 2013 was a fantastic year for Marathi Box-office. Amongst the major films of the year, bagging a maximum number of nods is the unconventional period drama, 72 Miles Ek Pravas, followed closely by the top grossing Duniyadari and the heart-wrenching Yellow with 7 and 5 nominations each, while the internationally-acclaimed Fandry has scored 3 nominations. Other notable films like Samarthya, Rege, Aajcha Divas Majha, Zapatlela 2 and Prem Mhanje Prem Mhanje Prem Asta (PMPMPA) have been nominated across various award categories.
It is a battle of the superstars in the leading role (Male) category with Swapnil Joshi (Duniyadari), Upendra Limaye (Yellow) and Ankush Chaudhary (Duniyadari) getting nominated.
Acting giants like Mr Sayaji Shinde, Ms Reema and Mr Ravindra Mankani are part of the IMFAA jury. “It is a proud moment for Marathi cinema. The recent trends are encouraging and then we have story lines that not only have a great social value, but also are also entertaining. Some of the movies are beautifully crafted. I feel honoured to be a part of the IMFFA jury,” said Reema,
Jury member, IMFFA 2014 Rushikesh Joshi (Yellow and Aajacha divas maza), Pushkar Shrotri (Rege) , Kishor Kadam (Fandry) and Aasavari Joshi (Samarthya), Neha Joshi (PMPMPA), Mrunal Kulkarni (Yellow) are in a race to get the top spot for Best Actor in Supporting Role ( Male and Female) respectively.
Stealing the limelight is the very beautiful Sai Tamhankar, who performance in Duniyadari has bagged her nomination for the lead role (Female) category. Equally impressive performers, Smita Tambe (72 Mail Ek Pravas), Veena Jamkar (Bhakharkhadi) are also nominated in this category.
The Best Director Nominees include a host of celebrated filmmakers like Nagraj Manjule (Fandry), Rajiv Patil (72 Mail Ek Pravas) and Chandrakant Kulkarni (Aajacha Divas Maza). One of the most awaited awards, the Best Film category, will witness 2013’s runway success’s Fandry, 72 Mail Ek Pravas, Aajacha Divas Maza, as they compete to win the much coveted title. Jeetendra Joshi (Duniyadari), Vaibhav Mangale (Time Pass) and Sunil Barve (Prem Mhanje Prem Mhanje Prem Asta) are in the fray for the title of the Best Performance in a Negative Role.
“We are moving towards a phase where cinema is not mere entertainment, but a platform to express oneself. Most of the movies are so well-made and I’m glad that they are being felicitated in such a big way. IMFFA will get bigger and better in the coming days and I’m proud that we are part of the movement,” explained Jeetendra Thackeray, Director, A M Entertainment and Broadcasting Pvt Ltd.
IMFFA 2014 will play host to the most celebrated talents of the Marathi film industry, Bollywood celebrities, corporate chieftains, dignitaries from India. “It is a pleasure and honour to welcome and facilitate the Marathi film industry and their annual work in a global platform like IMFAA. We are geared up for an amazing and flamboyant nomination announcement,” added Mr Chidambar Rege, Director, A M Entertainment and Broadcasting Private Limited, the organisers of this show.
IMFAA 2014 is not taking place on any exotic venue, but in the middle of the sea! The first ever IMFFA night will take place on Star Cruise (Virgo), which is the first for any award show in the world. The celebrations will begin from Hong Kong on September 21; the ship will then sail to China and Vietnam. The awards show will take place on September 23 night with a ‘Blue Carpet’ opening and a party on the cruise’s helipad, before landing back to Hong Kong on September 24.
Marathi actor & director Vijay Patkar is part of the organising board along with the top filmmakers and directors like Amol Gupte, Ravi Jadhav, Mahesh Limaye and Sanjay Jadhav have come on board as IMFFA’s advisory panel. “In India, the understanding of Marathi cinema is restricted in Maharashtra and some parts of Madhya Pradesh. Marathi film industry is making wonderful cinema today, which needs a huge platform to showcase their talent and we are providing them that by nominating their annual work at an International level,”informed Mr Bhaskar Iyer, Director, A M Entertainment and Broadcasting Pvt Ltd.
Mr Nilesh Kulkarni, Director, A M Entertainment and Broadcasting Pvt Ltd said, “This year has been great for Marathi cinema and we are delighted to that all prominent movies have been nominated that have touched people.”
The highlight of IMFFA 2014 is the integration of global acts on Star Cruise with Indian acts. Sandip Soparrkar, dancer and choreographer, will blend Salsa together in a Marathi flavor in the middle of the sea. Leading sitarist Niladri Kumar will blend Indian classical and fusion music in his performance and it touted to be the major attraction of IIMFA 2014.
IMFFA TECHNICAL AWARD WINNERS
Sr No. Category IMFFA Award Winner Film
1 Best Story Kshitij Hitendra Thakur, Yellow
Amber Hadap,Ganesh Pandit
2 Best Screenplay Sanjay Patil – Rajiv Patil 72 mail ek pravas
3 Best Dialogues Prashant Dalvi Aajacha divas
4 Best Art Director Mahesh Salgaonkar Duniyadari
5 Best Cinematographer Sanjay Jadhav 72 mail ek pravas
6 Best Editor Aashish Mhatre, Apurva Motivale Duniyadari
7 Best Lyricist Sanjay Krushnaji Patil Ranbhairi – 72 mail ek pravas
8 Best Singer ( Male ) Amit Raj Ranbhairi- 72 mail ek pravas
9 Best Singer ( Female) Bela Shende Maan Bavarate – Prem Mhanje Prem Mhanje Prem Asta
10 Best Music Director Amit Raj Ranbhairi – 72 mail ek mail
11 Best Costume Designer Harshada Khanvilkar, Promita Jadhav Duniyadari
12 Best Choreography Umesh Jadhav Time pass
13 Best Background Score Amit Raj 72 mail ek pravas
14 Best Sound Design Rohit Pradhan Yellow
